I appeared for Combined Defence Services(2) Examination held by Union Public Service Commission(UPSC) on November 1, 2015. After giving my exam, I matched my answers with online keys available and I was hopeful that I will pass this exam. I was happy, since I had prepared on my own by looking for various sources online(including SSB Crack). My Di also helped me in gathering of the resources. After waiting for a long time and checking the UPSC website on a daily basis, finally in mid-February just before CDSE(1), 2016, the results were declared and I qualified for all 3 choices – Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy and Officers Training Academy. My preference was IMA for Permanent Commission, so later I got a call for being interviewed by the Service Selection Board(SSB), Allahabad of the Ministry of Defence on 25th March, 2016, for admission to Indian Military Academy, Dehradun 141th Course commencing in July, 2016.
SSB Preparation
I was really happy but at the same time I was confused too because it was my first attempt. I had never faced SSB interview ever and moreover, the myths around it were just too many. Many suggested me to go for a coaching but after analysis and taking review from my friends, I decided not to waste my time and energy in coaching. Rather than that, I worked on enhancing my personality, which I was doing from the day I joined engineering and continued my life as usual. I devoted some of my time in watching some videos of AFOSOP on YouTube that helped me in further clearing the myth that coaching is a necessary evil. I further introspected deeply in myself to look what I am made of. From my childhood, I have a habit of diary writing, so looking back in those pages helped me know myself, my strengths and weaknesses and I improved myself on a daily basis. Rather than focusing on the format of SSB Interview, I worked hard on developing myself. I was sure that I want to serve this nation, so I took a tough decision of not sitting in College placements and wasting my time and energy. I was closer to prove my name Avichal, which means steadfast & unlikely to change, fail or collapse. Everyone was just forcing me to get a ‘job’ but thankfully my family and some of my close friends supported me and I was uninfluenced from any comment on my capability. I was sure that I was not made for a private sector “#placement”. There were many who murmured a lot about my life and choices, but I think their doubt about me also helped me in removing their doubts later on. I always remembered one of my favorite poems, “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost when in confusion and that helped me not to waste my time on thinking about non-important issues. Well, moving on I daily just followed a strict schedule comprising of various activities like physical exercises like running and gym workouts, studying a lot about everything going around the globe and doing whatever I could to improve myself as a person. Looking back, I can just say I did whatever I could focusing on just a single target irrespective of what people were doing around me. And that really helped me in making me more confident in the end. Meanwhile, I was also enjoying my last year of Engineering with my close friends.
My First Train Journey
Wait, what? First train journey? Yes! It was my first train journey to a distant place. I never travelled in a train because I never got a chance to do so. It is a very common thing for Indians to travel in a train & for many train is like a second home, but since it was my first, I was really excited. Thanks to Pallavi Di that she arranged a ticket for me in Prayag Raj Express from Delhi to Allahabad and even helped me boarding it. I even didn’t knew that in 3A, windows don’t open. I know its funny, but ‘Yahi Sach Hai’. 😀 I was told by a lady to change my seat from Side Lower to Upper Berth, that was also something new since I thought seats were fixed. But don’t laugh at me, “Yaar, pehli baar tha mera”! 😉 Well, I slept while reading “Turning Points” of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam ji. Next when I woke up, I was already in Allahabad and deboarded immediately.
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SSB Interview Screening Test
I went to Movement Control Office(MCO) at Allahabad Station later at around 1 PM on 25th March’16 and all the candidates were taken to SSB Center. Then, I along with 81 others, was allotted 18 SSB, the HAJIPIR Building! The day we boarded was good and I made a few friends. The next day(26th March’16) we packed our bags, dressed well and went for our 1st Day Screening Test. It all went really good. The process was really fantastic. For the first time in my life, I was appearing for SSB and it was a really rich experience. The PPDT was good, GD was even better. All my group members eventually agreed on my story. And finally after the results were announced, my chest number was changed from ‘8’ to ‘4’! And I was really happy! The main reason was that I always wanted to face the REAL SSB Interview after Day 1!
Day 2 to Day 4
I was really excited because I knew literally nothing. Everything was going to be a challenge and that was the real ‘KICK’! On Day 2, the 38 recommended candidates reached the venue. After a brief introduction of what tests would be conducted, the tests started.
TAT
It went well. All of my stories had the central character in a positive state of mind and was a strategist, solving problems with team work. Basically, I wrote every story keeping myself in place of the central character thinking what best I could have done in that situation. In the blank story, I wrote about myself how I managed my previous shortcomings to become a stronger self.
WAT
Now, this was challenging! The time was really very less. I was not able to use my conscious mind at all. The first thought that came to my mind went on the paper. And I think only this was demanded.
SRT
Again, I just kept myself in the situation given and wrote what I actually would have done instead of making out anything. The reality is you can’t make anything either, the time they give is really LESS!
Self Description
In this I was a bit slow and wasn’t able to attempt “The qualities you’d like to improve”. But, in this test I was natural, wrote what I knew through my experiences which I read in my personal diary!
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INTERVIEW
My interview was scheduled the same day. I was excited, because this was going to be my first ever interview in life! The SSB environment added flavors to it. I was in the candidate waiting hall and I was reading Frontline kept over there. Suddenly my chest number flashed and I went straightaway into the room. The aura was just totally different. I wished my Interviewing Officer. The first question was, “What does your name mean?”. The whole interview was a very informal interview revolving around my family, friends, hobbies and general awareness. I kept my answers on an ideological level and I had strong reasons behind every answer, again because I knew everything about myself because of my personal diary. There were some tricks played like my IO sir deliberately yawned 3-4 times and I knew it was deliberate because IO sir’s eyes were opened. And that’s the benefit of keeping EYE CONTACT while talking to someone. My voice was loud, clear, my answers were good because I had strong reasons behind them and I maintained eye contact throughout. After coming out, I was really happy because I gave my best.
Day 3
Our GTO sir briefed us and he was very helpful throughout.
GTO sir’s Tip : FOLLOW THE RULES. And I did that whether I was able to give my perceived best or not. My tip for everyone, you MUST follow the rules.
Group Discussion
My group had GD on 2 topics – ‘Why INDIA is not able to realize its potential in sports other than cricket’ and ‘Why road accidents in INDIA are increasing’. The GD went well. I initiated the GD in both. It was a very healthy discussion and everyone participated well.
Group Planning Exercise
This was something really new. The GPE was tough, not because it was tough but because everyone had different plans of action. I followed my friend Rajat Taneja’s (He was in different group and briefed me about GPE the previous night) advice. The GD that followed was really good because every one was totally on a different track. In this task too, all my group members agreed upon my solution and that was the best thing possible!
Progressive Group Task
In this task I was totally clueless. The ‘Balli, Fatta’ concept was unknown to me. But I did my best. I helped my teammates and gave my ideas immediately as they came across my mind.
Snake Race
This was the most fascinating task I did in SSB! My group chose ‘Har Har Mahadev’ as war cry. And I was leading in this helping my teammates as much as possible. I was probably the only one who shouted the war cry throughout and as a result my throat got upset! But I didn’t felt anything at that time. It was such a wonderful experience moving with people towards a common goal, helping each other and shouting the war cry. We actually won the race, but someone broke the rule so GTO sir told 4 of us to go back and do the last obstacle again. I was the first one to volunteer and shouting ‘Har Har Mahadev’ did that too.
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Day 4
Lecturette
Now this was really challenging for me because my ‘loud and clear’ voice was gone and throat was upset. I did my best clearing it but nothing worked. But this increased the ‘KICK’ flavor. When my turn came, I chose the most difficult topic of all four given – “The formation of new states as a tool of development of our nation.” and I started my Lecturette with, “Sorry Gentlemen for my upset throat, because of the war cry yesterday”. And despite my upset throat, I was confident and I gave some good points in my lecturette. It was because I read THE HINDU daily and it is easy for a regular reader of THE HINDU to give some good points.
Half Group Task
I learned from my mistakes in PGT. This time I lead and was confident in giving my ideas. It went well with the teamwork.
Individual Obstacles
I initially thought it was VERY easy. But it turned out to be different for me. I chose to start from obstacle number 3, which was ‘Balancing Beam’. I was too slow on that because of which I fell down and got hurt. But I left that immediately and completed all the remaining tasks easily and well in time. Then, I came back to obstacle number 3 and this time I completed it and suddenly the whistle was blown and my turn was over. But I felt good because I at least completed the 10 obstacles assigned after initial failure to complete obstacle number 3.
Command Task
This was also exciting. I was called up by 6 of my 10 group members as a subordinate. In my turn, I felt the CT was a bit difficult than the rest CTs I saw. But I managed it well and was able to complete the given task. I tested the strength of the formations myself and used the subordinates only for passing on the material and tying the rope.
Final Group Task
This was the last task. So, I was again excited to perform well. I gave ideas along with my teammates and we were able to perform well in FGT. Again the RULE is to FOLLOW THE RULES!
Day 5 – DOOMSDAY or THE CONFERENCE DAY
I was happy because this whole experience of SSB was marvelous. For the first time in my life, I met so many people who were aware, who were defence aspirants, who wanted to do something for our nation, who had knowledge, who had everything I ever wanted in a friend. I was fortunate enough to make some good friends and have discussions about issues related to our nation. This was all going to end. We all went to the venue well dressed as usual. When I was called in the conference room, I was excited (again) because I never saw so many ARMY Officers in uniform in a single room. My conference went for just 20 seconds. Basic questions were asked, “How was your stay here?” & “Any Suggestions”! And it was over. I went back to the Chanakya Hall where we all were seated. After conference of everyone was over, many guys were telling me, “Freshers ka nahi hota Allahabad me. Allahabad Rejection Center hai.” and stuff like that. But I was cool because I did what I can and moreover I got to know what SSB is. When the results were about to announce, I just had one thing in my mind, “Do I have it in me?”! And my name was announced, “CHEST NUMBER 4, AVICHAL SHARMA”! And everyone started clapping. Now that felt really good. And I said to myself, “I gave my best and I have IT in me.”! A new chest number with the ‘+’ sign was given to me. On 30th March, 2016 I got recommended by 18 SSB, Allahabad to join IMA-141.
MEDICALS
Now, this is something most people don’t know about. If you think, SSB Allahabad is a rejection center then I can’t say much. But Military Hospital, Allahabad is definitely a rejection hospital. “Patience” + “FIT” tag is what you require there. There was a twist in my medicals though. I was around 71 kg because of my gym workouts. I was bulking up and being muscular was a priority.(I go to gym from 2012, my Instagram ID – ‘iavichalsharma’ will tell you more). Now, I came to know that according to my height and weight I should have 64 kg weight at most. It is my mistake though, that I should have known this before. To my luck, the MEDICINE OPD doctor was to come in MH after 5-6 days. And my new task began. 7 kgs in 6 days? And I did that too. I woke up at 3 AM during my medicals and ran for 10km in a day for the remaining days, did a lot of cardio(High-Intensity Interval Training) and in addition to that and restricted my diet as much as possible. And on the day of medicine OPD, I just didn’t wanted to get a TR. And my weight was 64.2 kg. I definitely had muscle loss which I didn’t wanted and I was really exhausted. I won’t recommend anyone doing this crash course. I regularly train in gym and do HIIT, that’s why I was able to sustain. I didn’t got a Weight TR because of the motivation that I have to go without a TR and my recommended GCs from 18 SSB, Allahabad – Rajat Taneja, Palash Gupta, Amlan Phukan, Zubair Talha constantly pushed me. They were with me in this whole process and they are really true leaders and friends. After I was fully physically FIT, then I felt accomplished. The next twist was, our medical conference was in the morning. But due to unexpected delays, it was shifted to 5 PM. My train from Allahabad to Meerut was scheduled at 5:30 PM and I thought I won’t be able to board my train. The medical conference was further delayed to 6:30 PM where I was FIT. Luckily, Sangam Express also got delayed by 1 hour 30 minutes. Now, my recommended friends helped me to get out fast. And in half an hour, I reached from MH, Allahabad to my dormitory in Hajipir Building to Railway Station, Allahabad. I boarded my train just 1 minute before its departure. And that completed my SSB journey. I loved it!
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So, It was my first CDS Attempt, first SSB Attempt, first Medical and yes, first train travel experience. And I did it all without Coaching. If I can do it, you too can! Obviously, you don’t need coaching for traveling in a train at least. LOL! 😀
